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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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use-by dates
Observing the use-by-date on medications is important. As with food, discard medications beyond the expiry date. Sometimes chemicals they contain deteriorate and break down, or their potency is reduced. Don’t buy up then store medicines unnecessarily; it’s an unwise and uneconomic habit.
dental hygiene
To properly brush your teeth, persist for at least three minutes. (It’s more like one to two in practice.) Use a circular motion in general, brushing toward the gum at a 45-degree angle. This helps eliminate plaque and keeps gums healthy. Use dental floss regularly to clean the sides of the teeth. Rinse with water, then massage the gums. And at lunchtime, when you’re nowhere near a toothbrush, eat an apple, and always avoid sticky sweets.
self-exams
Some doctors are telling patients that breast self-examination each month is a waste of their time. But most still suggest women continue, ideally on the second or third day of menstruation. While larger lumps may be obvious, smaller ones—possibly early cancers—are harder to detect yourself. However, a mammogram will detect a lump the size of a grain of rice, when it is readily treatable and most likely curable. So ensure you have a mammogram regularly.
bran benefits
A few years back, everyone was adding a serve of unprocessed bran to breakfast foods and savouries. But this practice seems to have vanished. Unprocessed bran—the coarse outer husk of many cereals—is pure insoluble fibre. Many believe this reduced intestinal transit times, and carried away potentially toxic products. This still holds, although these days there’s greater emphasis on getting plenty of grain cereals—the basis of most breakfast foods—into the daily menu. Health ideas and fads come and go, but the basic ones remain effective and popular
cleanser–curer
How much is enough water? Your body needs 1500-2000 mL of water each 24-hour period, and probably more in hot weather. Don’t substitute coffee or tea and soft drinks for pure Adam’s ale. (Would you wash your car with cordial or beer?)
after a loss
Some people fail to cope with the loss of a good friend or relative, finding it hard to come to terms emotionally. Sadness, anxiety and depression after a loss are normal. If this is you, talk about it. A person often benefits from counselling. Begin with your doctor or best friend, a minister or priest, even your hairdresser or people at your club. For those really struggling, doctors have a range of effective medications available for short-term relief.
under-age
heart attack
Although usually confined to the more elderly, it is possible for a younger person in their 30s or 40s to suffer a heart attack. And it’s happening more often these days. That’s why a regular GP check is advised, say once a year. High blood pressure or heart anomalies may be present, which can often be successfully treated.
A: Acoustic neuromas occasionally damage the ear nerve, causing deafness on one side. Severe infections can damage the auditory nerve. However, in many cases, this will gradually return to normal, although it may take weeks or even months. Nevertheless, see an ear specialist for a full assessment, for further treatment maybe advisable. Time and nature are often wonderful doctors also.
Extract from Signs of the Times, July 2004.
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